In the six decades since its founding, Reverend Clay Evans and the famed Fellowship Choir have travelled across the country and abroad reaching the masses through their weekly radio and television broadcasts and recording some 30 albums. Reverend Evans has released a number of churchy radio hits including Room at the Cross, Have You Got Good Religion and Heal the Land, last topping the Billboard Gospel albums chart with the smash hit Testimony. Some 20 years later, the 91 year old elder statesman makes a return to the top 25 of the Billboard Gospel Albums chart (entering at number 21) with Rev Clay Evans and the Ship, What a Legacy Volume 1. The disc features vintage music never before released on CD from Rev Evans and his beloved choir.
The Reverend Clay Evans Heritage Series is the result of the collective efforts of producers Royal Mickey Warren, Curtis Fondren and Gregory Gay. “Fellowship down through the years has provided an authentic religious experience for so many people.,” says compilation producer and long time Fellowship chief musician Royal Mickey Warren. “People would travel from around the globe just to be a part of the Sunday service, especially the Sunday night broadcast. Our intent was to recapture the moments and the memories as well as give some Fellowship history.”
Among the rare jewels on the disc you get to hear the unmistakable voice of Reverend Clay Evans as he sings with the over one hundred voice choir on such classics as I Must Tell Jesus and his theme song, It Is No Secret (What God Can Do). Reverend Consuella York is heard as she brought the broadcast on the air every Sunday for over 40 years. Reverend Milton Brunson, who was licensed by Reverend Evans and served in the music department before organizing the famed Thompson Community Choir is featured singing his signature classic Rise Up and Walk.
“We knew we were on to something when we presented the disc to Rev. Evans at the Clay Evans Scholarship Fund Annual Service in August”, says co-producer Curtis Fondren. “Not only was Reverend Evans moved by the music, but everyone in attendance felt the same way. It was an exact repeat at the church’s 66th anniversary celebration kickoff in September. Rev. Evans played selections from the CD before he preached and had them to play some of the selections a second time.”
A CD musical extravaganza event is being planned for October 14th at Fellowship with music from special guests and the Dr. LouDella Evans Reid Traditional Gospel Choir. A special limited edition disc is available now with proceeds going to the Clay Evans Scholarship Fund with the deluxe edition hitting digital outlets on September 30th.
